Starting an apple and plum orchard?

Brendankearns · Rank attained: Rowan Tree Joined: 01 Feb 2013 Posts: 130

I'm sure there have been many posts on this topic on here but I haven't found any yet. Also want to post in case someone has no info to starting a orchard.

Area is approx 25m wide by 35m long - West facing so plenty of sun. Also get lots of wind so need hardy apple and plum trees.

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks

Greengage · Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2013 5:30 pm Post subject:

what do you want to know.

Sive · Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2013 6:50 pm Post subject:

Perfect time for you to research some heritage apple varieties.....take a look at the Seedsavers website:

http://www.irishseedsavers.ie/

Three years ago we planted about 8 different old Irish varieties of dessert and cooking apples that we got from Seedsavers and this year most of them are fruiting well. We were very pleased with the quality of the trees we bought.
And by the way, our garden is also very windy, so I understand your concern.
Good luck.

Brendankearns · Rank attained: Rowan Tree Joined: 01 Feb 2013 Posts: 130

Thank you Sive - what variety did you go for?

Sive · Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 2:29 pm Post subject:

We got 8 different ones including 2 cookers and one dessert/cooker. I think we're at too early a stage to be able to give you any recommendations, because some haven't any fruit ( Gibbon's Russet and Bloody Butcher ) and others have small fruit, and I'm not sure if that's because of the drought we've had in Wexford....or because I should maybe have removed some of the fruit at an early stage, so as to get fewer but larger apples. You see, I'm a novice at fruit-growing, so it will take me a while to make a judgement on the trees. I like the look of the apples on Uncle John's Cooker....but I haven't used them yet. The best croppers this year have been Kerry Pippin and Kilkenny Pearmain.
The Seedsavers website gives you some idea of the flavours by describing the apples......and if you live anywhere near Clare they will soon be having a tasting session, which of course would be the perfect way to choose your trees !

Brendankearns · Rank attained: Rowan Tree Joined: 01 Feb 2013 Posts: 130

Great info again Sive - thank you.

michael brenock · Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 9:42 pm Post subject:

This may not be the correct section but I would like to know how did the tomatoes turn out that appeared in this forum that had yellow curling leaves earlier in the season. How are they now. I made a comment on them at the time and am now anxious to know how they turned out.
michael brenock

Brendankearns · Rank attained: Rowan Tree Joined: 01 Feb 2013 Posts: 130

Anyone on here from County Down that can recommend apple or plum trees doing well in our great climate 😉